Kishore C.S. (April 2000)

I was wondering whether India/world is ready for e-shopping. Then I started wondering what can make e-shopping a success. Which of my shopping habits can be changed to a web purchasing? First I listed my shopping list and tried to find whether any of them can be purchased online and what will motivate me to do so.

My shopping list

I shop frequently for my groceries, books, CDs/Cassettes, Greeting Cards, Sweets, and Vegetables, Gifts

Typical one-time shopping/occasional items are: Car, TV, Furniture, Music System, and Jewelry.

Groceries: I have been purchasing at the same place and he does a home delivery. I would not place an order with a shop that cannot make a home delivery. I can still place the order over phone now. But shopping for groceries gives my family an excuse to go out. So I can't order them on the web.

Greeting Cards: I have to select the card based on the occasion and person.

Sweets: I select based on the quality. I am not guaranteed of the quality if I order them without seeing them.

Vegetables: Of course I have to select them. How can do virtual shopping for such items.

CDs/Cassettes: May be. If the guy is going to deliver them fast I can buy it.

Books: May be. But I already subscribe to magazine and may be I can ask them to deliver my favorite author's latest book as soon as it is out.

Gifts: I would choose/check the piece carefully before asking anyone to just send a package.

I can straight away state that one-time shopping items need personal verification before I can take them home.

So it does not leave me with many items to buy online.

If a person does not want to buy online why is the world going crazy in providing online shopping? I just don't understand. I am waiting to see what happens.

Another thought that crossed my mind: what is the risk I can take while making an online purchase? I may spend a few hundreds and risk the guy to miss the delivery. But certainly not a high cost item.

Will a person sacrifice the luxury of going out and shop at leisure. This is one of the relaxation methods I find in the hectic pace life. Why should I sacrifice this?

The fact is till now I have never made a purchase online. Atleast I have seen my friends booking movie tickets online which is very low risk and is a convenience. But no one has recommended me the 'pleasure' of shopping online so far whereas I have heard of so many recommendations to visit many shops in my city.

The other advantages I get when I go shopping:

• I have freedom to choose
• My family enjoys the trip
• I may meet friends and relatives
• I am sure of the quality of items I am selecting

Should I sacrifice them?

Summary:

Is e-shopping really worth the effort? Should we take the shop to the customer?

Concentrate on the customer who is entering into your shop. Please him. Virtual shopping community is yet to be convinced of e-shopping concepts.